She walked the streets of Calcutta in her white-bordered blue sari, tending to the dying, the destitute, the forgotten. To the world, she was Mother Teresa — a saint in every sense. But to countless voiceless souls, she was simply Ma. While much of the world remembers her for feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless, few know of another dream she held close — a hospital for the mentally ill, where the poorest of the poor could receive dignity, care, and healing of the mind, not just the body.
That unfulfilled vision is now finding shape in a groundbreaking partnership between Antara Psychiatric Hospital — an institution deeply influenced by Mother Teresa’s legacy — and Axis Bank, one of India’s leading private-sector banks. A New Chapter: The Axis Bank Antara Institute of Health Sciences In a landmark move, Axis Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Antara to establish the Axis Bank Antara Institute of Health Sciences in Kolkata. This will be one of Eastern India’s first dedicated mental health educational facilities, offering accredited programs in psychiatry, psychology, nursing, social work, and counselling.
The MoU was signed at Axis House in Mumbai’s Worli area in the presence of Mr. Amitabh Chaudhry (MD & CEO, Axis Bank), Mr. Vijay Mulbagal (Group Executive, Axis Bank), Mr. Kamal Prakash (President, Antara), and Dr. Matthew P. John (Hon. General Secretary, Antara).
Dr. John, a long-time mental health advocate, recalls his early conversations with Mother Teresa. “She told us that beyond feeding mouths, we must heal broken minds. That message stayed with us.” It was that inspiration, he says, that led to the foundation of Antara in the early 1970s — a clinic that has grown quietly, serving thousands with dignity and devotion.
Now, with Axis Bank stepping in, the dream expands.
A Mental Health Crisis Meets a Bold Response India, a country of over 1.4 billion, has a severe shortage of mental health professionals. According to government estimates, the ratio of psychiatrists to patients is around 0.75 per 100,000 people, far below WHO recommendations. Facilities are few, stigma is rampant, and training opportunities are limited. Axis Bank’s Group Executive, Mr. Vijay Mulbagal, described the initiative as “a testament to inclusive growth”. He added, “Mental health is not a side note — it is central to national well-being. We are honoured to be part of something that uplifts lives and builds capacity for a healthier India.” The partnership is not only about charity — it is strategic. The Institute is set to launch its academic programs in phases from 2026, aiming to enrol over 200 students annually by 2028. With Antara already receiving DNB (Psychiatry) accreditation from the National Board of Examinations in May 2025 — a first for any mental health institution in West Bengal — the groundwork is well laid.
Inspired by Mother Teresa, Powered by Compassion
Antara’s ethos is steeped in the spirit of its early years. The staff — many of whom come from humble backgrounds — speak often of Mother Teresa’s visits, her words, her presence.
Anita Brooke, Communications Manager at Antara, says the team sees themselves as continuing her mission. “We are not just treating illnesses. We are serving humanity, often the invisible and neglected. Many of our doctors and nurses have given up more lucrative careers to work here.” She adds that Axis Bank’s involvement has encouraged other institutions to come forward. “This is no longer just a clinic. It’s a movement.”
Hope on the Horizon
From its modest campus in Kolkata, Antara has grown into a beacon of hope for the mentally ill, especially those who cannot afford care. With Axis Bank’s investment, this vision is entering a new phase — one that fuses philanthropy with systemic reform. As Kolkata prepares to host one of Eastern India’s first large-scale mental health education institutes, an old dream is stirring once more — not with grand gestures, but with trained minds, caring hearts, and open doors. In the quiet corridors of Antara, Mother Teresa’s spirit seems to whisper: “Do small things with great love.” Now, thanks to a bank, a hospital, and a legacy of compassion, those small things are becoming something extraordinary.
